NFO files exist as 5 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: System Information File
NFO files store information on pirated media. They may list author, title, license, etc. NFO files open as text often, though Windows tries System Information. To open in preferred text editor: Right-...
General Information
| Title | NFO File Extension |
| Extension | .nfo |
| Full Form | Information File |
| File Type | Plain Text File |
| Developer | N/A |
| MIME Type | text/plain |
File Function
| Primary Function | Provide information |
| Additional Functions | Software description, Readme |
| Features | Plain text, ASCII art |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Readable |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Software Documentation | Yes |
| Release Notes | Yes |
| Pirated Software | Common |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low risk |
| Best Practices | Verify source |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | N/A |
| Latest Version | N/A |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .txt, .doc, .rtf |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Microsoft System Information Tool |
Built-in | Windows |
 DAMN NFO Viewer |
Free | Windows |
| Notepad++ |
Free | Windows |
Type 2: Warez Information File
NFO files contain information about warez scene releases of pirated software or media. They include the title, author, year, license details. NFOs provide searchable data online and in catalogs. They ...
General Information
| Title | NFO File Extension |
| Extension | .nfo |
| Full Form | Warez Information File |
| File Type | Text File |
| Developer | N/A |
| MIME Type | text/plain |
File Function
| Primary Function | Software information |
| Additional Functions | Release notes, ASCII art |
| Features | Plain text, Readable |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Text-based |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Software Documentation | Yes |
| Install Guides | Yes |
| Scene Releases | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Malicious scripts |
| Best Practices | Antivirus scanning, Viewer selection |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Use | 1980s |
| Popularization | 1990s |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .txt, .diz |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Notepad |
Free | Windows |
| DAMN NFO Viewer |
Free | Windows |
| GetDiz |
Free | Windows |
Type 3: Age of Empires Player File
General Information
| Title | .NFO File Extension |
| Extension | .nfo |
| Full Form | Age of Empires Player File |
| File Type | Game File |
| Developer | Ensemble Studios |
| MIME Type | text/plain |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store player data |
| Additional Functions | Save settings, Track progress |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Text format |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Game Settings | Yes |
| Player Progress | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Backup regularly |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1997 |
| Associated Game | Age of Empires |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .aoe2scenario, .mgx, .scn |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Age of Empires |
Commercial | Windows |
| Age of Empires II |
Commercial | Windows, Mac |
Type 4: Folio Views Infobase File
General Information
| Title | NFO File Extension |
| Extension | .nfo |
| Full Form | Folio Views Infobase File |
| File Type | Database File |
| Developer | Folio Corporation |
| MIME Type | application/x-nfo |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store information |
| Additional Functions | Text display, Database |
| Features | Searchable, Indexed |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Structured data |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | With software |
Use Cases
| Information Management | Yes |
| Research | Yes |
| Reference Systems | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Infobase tampering |
| Best Practices | Access control, Regular backups |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 1980s |
| Latest Version | Depends on software |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .idx, .ref, .sdw |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Folio Views |
Commercial | Windows |
| Folio Infobase Builder |
Commercial | Windows |
Type 5: Kodi Media Metadata
Here are two attempts at editing the text: Attempt 1: NFO files contain metadata for media files. Kodi and other media managers use NFO files for information like titles, genres, and descriptions. ...
General Information
| Title | NFO File Extension |
| Extension | .nfo |
| Full Form | Kodi Information File |
| File Type | Plain Text |
| Developer | Kodi |
| MIME Type | text/plain |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store metadata |
| Additional Functions | Organize media, Enhance media library |
| Features | XML formatted, Custom tags |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Text based |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Media Management | Yes |
| Library Customization | Yes |
| Personal Collections | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Minimal |
| Best Practices | Validate XML, Use trusted sources |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Early 2000s |
| Latest Version | Kodi v19 Matrix (2021) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .xml, .txt, .ini |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Kodi |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS |
| MediaElch |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| TinyMediaManager |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |